Distinguished Congressman Walter B. Jones spoke to a full house of Rotarians and their guests of the Washington (noon) Rotary Club on March 7, giving a moving government update.

Proudly representing the 3rd District of North Carolina, Jones explained the differences between national debt and national deficit; the former being the amount of money owed by the federal government as a result of unbalanced budgets and borrowing while the later is the amount by which the government’s expenditures exceed the tax revenue in a fiscal year. The public debt as of Feb.16, 2016 is $19,019,170,000,000.

The annual deficit for fiscal year 2015 was $438 billion. The congressman’s hand-out sheet stated, “The numbers above are the reason I do not vote for any budgets or omnibus bills that will add to national debt. I will not let my legacy be such that the youth of our nation inherit Greek-like debt and chaos.”

Speaking passionately against wasteful spending, Jones shared portions of a report on ” … wasted Pentagon money in Afghanistan” by Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko and reminded his audience that for the year 2016 there was no Social Security cost of living increase or increases for disabled veterans.

Stating his stand on offshore drilling in North Carolina and fielding questions on economic development and job creation in Beaufort County among others, Jones’ talk was received with interest by all those in attendance. The Washington (noon) Rotary Club meets for lunch at King Chicken on Mondays at noon sharp.